Apparatus for coating



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IH- l @NTC ATTORNEY W'. H. cHARcH ET AL APPARATUS FonCOATING Filed oct. 12 1928 Oct. 6, 1931.

W. H. CHARCH ET AL APPARATUS FOR COATING Oct` 6, 1931.

Filed Oct. 12,l 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN'VENTO'RS Oct. 6, y1661. w. H.CHARCH ET A1. 1,626,697

A APPARATUS FOR COATING Filed Oct. l2, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I im' uw,5H". 66] 6h16,

' MQ/YMQTTORNEY Patented ct. 6, 1931 UNITED STATES VPATENT OFFICEWILLIAM H. CHARCH, F BUFFALO, AND NORMAN A. CRAIGUE, OF KENMOR, NEW

YORK, ASSIGNOBS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO DU PONT CELLOPHANE COM- PANY,INC., 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE APPARATUS FORCOATING Application lel october 12, 1928. Serial No. 812,041.

This invention relates ,to coating and more particularly to an apparatusfor coating films, webs or sheets of cellophane (regenerated viscose)with a moistureproofing composition, such as set forth in copendingapplication Serial No. 308,873, and comprismg a cellulose derivative, awax, a gum or resin,

a plasticizer and a solvent or solvent mixture.

Cellophane produced in the usual cast- 10; ing machine has a bead oneach edge which is two to four times thicker thanthe center parts of thefilm. In the usual methods of coating other materials, it was impossibleto coat a cellophane film, sheet or web withlsi out having a lar eexcessof coating material on the edges of ille film and a zone about sixto eight inches in width adjacent said edges. In order to obtain auniformly coated cellohane film, web or sheet by these processes 1t wasnecessary to cut away or trim the bead prior to coating.

We have found that we can eliminate and overcome this disadvantage bywiping or removing the excess coating material at the edges and zonesadjacent the beads prior to` removing the excess coating material fromthe entire width of the cellophane film, web or sheet.

It has been found that by raising the temperature of the coatingcomposition on the base as rapidly as possible to approximately the sameor higher than the melting point i of the wax in the composition and bymaintaining the applied coating compositionvin a homogeneous state untilall the solvent is eliminated accidental blushing can be prevented.

When cellophane is heated, it has a tendcncy to lose some of itsmoisture and to become somewhat brittle. This also occurs whencellophane is coated with a moistureproofing composition as herein usedand subsequentlv dried by evaporating thesolvent or solvent mixture in aheated atmosphere.

We have found that we can overcome this defect by subjecting thecellophane film, web or sheet to a humidifying action prior to and/orafter the coating operation. If .are two ducts 17 which supply thehumidiying action the last trace of the solvent will also be eliminatedand the coated film'substantially deodorized.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus formoistureproofmg cellophane films, webs or sheets with a coatmgcomposition comprising a cellulose derivative, a wax, such as parafiin,a gum or re'sm, a plasticizer and a solvent or solvent mlxture toproduce a substantially transparent, odorless, fiexible, non-tackymaterial.

Another object of this invention is to p'rovide an apparatus forcarrying out a method whereinthe waxingredient is prevented fromprecipitatin out and producing a blush.

Another o ject of this invention is to provide an apparatus forproviding a substantiall ane coating on cellophane having ,l bea ededges without removing said beaded edges. c

still further object is to provide an apparatus having two' sets ofdoctor blades, whereby the disadvantages occasioned by the beaded edgesof the cellophane are eliminated.

Further objects will appear from the following description, appendedclaims and accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus for carrying out thisinvention.

Figure 2 illustrates the arrangement of the doctor blade mechanism andaccompanyin parts. i

igure 3 is a vertical section through Fig- -ure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken von line 4 4 of Figure 3illustrating the larrangement 'of the doctor blades. l

Fi re 5 illustrates the casting on which ythe lade holder trunnion andclamp are mounted.

Figure 6 is a detail of the mechanism for moving the doctor blades apartpermitting the machine to be threaded with the cellophane film, web orsheet.

b Figure 7 is a detail of the humidifying In carrying out our inventionthe cellophane inthe form of a continuous film, web or sheet, afterbeing subjected to a humidiying atmosphere is passed through 100 a bathcontaining the coating composition, thence between doctor blades, andfinally through a drying chamber. After the exit of the coated film fromthe drying chamber, it is subjected to a deodorizing or humidifyingatmosphere, preferably at a temperature above room temperature, wherebythe flexibility-of the Coated film is increased and the last traces ofsolvents eliminated thus rendering the coated film odorless.

Referring now to the drawings and especially to Figure 1, where there isdisclosed one modification of a complete apparatus for carrying out thisinvention mounted on a suitable framework, the web or film of cellophaneas it is withdrawn from a roll 1 is :passed through a humidifying box 2,thence across various spreader rolls 3 and into the coating bath 4. Fromthe coating bath 4 the film is drawn up between a wiping mechanism 5whereby the excess coating material is removed and thence immediatelyinto a drying or evaporating chamber 6. After traveling through thedrying chamber, the substantially dried coated film is drawn through ahumidifying chamber 7 in which there are disposed deodorizers 8. Uponthe exit of the treated film from the humidifier 7 it passes through theair and it is wound up on a roll 9.

The roll 1 consists of a continuous film or web 0f cellophane as it isproduced in the usual casting machine. In other words, the film or webof cellophane has the usual beaded edges.

From the source of supply the cellophane passes through a humidifier.Various means may be used to humidify the cellophane The description ofthe following humidifier is merely illustrative and not limitative ofthe invention.

The humidifying box 2 is made of metal and is mounted on the frameworkin any suitable position between the supply roll 1 and the coatingmechanism 4. It comprises a cylindrical portion 10 provided with anextension 11. In the cylindrical portion. 10 there is a slot 12vproviding an entrance through which the cellophane passes into theinterior of the humidifying box. The

y edges of the slot are preferably rounded to form beads whereby smoothedges are presented tothe cellophane and damage to the latter iseliminated. The extension 11 is also formed with a slot 13 having beadedor turned edges as described whereby the humidified cellophane passesfrom the humidifier. Mounted on( the cylindrical portion 10 of thehumidifier is a roll 14 which together with roll 3 provide means forguiding the cellophane through the humidifier. Connected to orcooperating with openings 16 in the sides of the extension 11 of the boxare two ducts 17 which supply the humidifying atmosphere from anysuitable source.

the portions of the ducts extending within the box have their endsclosed and provided with a slot or `perforation through which thehumidifying atmosphere may be introduced into the box. The amount ofhumidifying atmosphere introduced is maintained by a damper 18 placed inthe duct and controlled by a handle 19. The top of the humidifying boxis provided with movable or slidable covers or lids not shown wherebyaccess to the interior of the humidifying box may be readily had. In thebottom of the cylindrical portion 10 of the humidifier are dripconnections or valves 21 whereby the. drippings produced during theoperations may be removed. The passage of the film through thehumidifier is of relatively short duration and its moisture content issomewhat increased. The increase in moisture serves to minimize to acertain degree the drying out of the film as it passes up through thedrying chamber. This step alone is usually not sufficient to prevent anundesirable drying out of the film but in combination with the finalhumidifying step described below it has been found to be effective. Thishumidifying step also tends to eliminate wrinkles from the film andprevents a lapping over of the film as it passes through the doctorblades with consequent breakage which would ensue.

From the humidifier the film is passed over and under spreading rolls 22and 23 mounted on the frame and functioning to iron out wrinkles fromsaid film and thence into the coating bath 4. If desired, prior to thepassage of the humidified film into the bath` the film may be passedthrough a slot 24 adjacent which is a wiper 25, which removes anvdrippings or globules of condensed moisture. It is obvious that the filmmay be wiped on one or both sides as desired.

Submerged in the coating bath 4 contained in any suitable receptacle 26is a roller 27 which is adapted to be raised'to allow the threading ofthe cellophane through the machine. A jacket 28 surrounds the receptaclewhereby the coating composition may be heated or cooled by thecirculation of steam, cold air or water as desired. To obtain optimumresults the temperature of the coating composition should be maintainedbetween approximately 20o C. and 40 C. Above 40 C. an appreciable amountof sol- Vvent evaporates, causing an undesirable atmosphere.

' for wiping both sides of the cellophane sheet, film or web passingtherebetween. Since the wiping elements for wiping the two sides areduplicates, only one will be described.

The wiping mechanism comprises doctor blades 29 and auxiliary doctorblades 30 mounted on blade carriers 31 carried on trunnions 32. Thetrunnions 32 are carried in bearings formed by semi-cylindrical bores 33formed in castings 34 and caps 35 having bores 36 complemental to bores33, secured to castings 34 by any suitable means. If desired, the capsmay be provided with oil holes 37 whereby the trunnions may belubricated.

The blade carrier 31 in its lower portion has a bore 38 therethrough,whereby the car,- rier 31 is mounted on the trunnions 32. The

upper extremity of carrier 31 is formed to provide a support 39 for` themain doctor blade 29 which is secured thereto by bolts 40. The rear edgeof the doctor blade 29 engages a sh'oulder 41 through which screws 42spaced at suitable intervals in the shoulder 41, pass. The end ofscrews42 are adapted to engage the rear face of the doctor blade 29,whereby adjustment of the screws will adjust the doctor blades. l.

Situated beneath the main doctor blades 29 I are the auxiliary or shortdoctor blades 30 mounted' as immediately hereafter described. Secured toribs 43 of the blade carrier 31 and adjacent each end thereof by meansof bolts 44, are two spaced-apart elements 45. A

plate 46 having a slot or hole 47 extending at an angle, i. e. 45'tosaid plate. is mounted on elements 45 forming an inclined carrier 46 forthe auxiliary blades 30. The carrier 46 is provided with a plurality ofholes 48 through which screws 49 are adapted to pass. The auxiliaryblades 30 are provided with slots 50 through which the screws 49 passand which permit sufficient movement of the blades for accurateadjustment. By means of the nuts 49 engaging the ends of the screws 49,the auxiliary blades 30 are locked in position.

The main doctor blades 29, mounted as. above described, extend acrossthe width of the machine and constitute means for wiping the entirewidth of the cellophane sheet, film or web on both sides. It isessential that the wiping edge of the doctor blade 29 be even and keptin adjustment. To this end the edge of the blades is maintained and/orattained by the movement of the screws 42 above described. In wipingboth sides of a cellophane film, web or sheet, we have found that if themain blades' 29 are ar- C3 ranged at an angle to the passing film and into overlap and, since the blades are adjustable, the amount ofoverlapping is adjustable. lhls overlapping gives a good scrap- 1ngaction and permits the blades to be spaced wider apart than in the usualarrangement.-

The wider spacing of the doctor blades is especially important sincecellophane film varies in thickness.` If the blades were spaced tooclose to each other, a thick portion of the film passing between theblades would be damaged or torn. v

The auxiliary doctor blades 30 (a pair disposed at each end of themachine) adjustably mounted as above described. are adapted to engagethe edge portions and zones adjacent thereto of the cellophane film.Accordingly, the doctor` blades 30 are made of such length as to onlywipe the desired area of the cellophane film, web or sheet. Variouslengths may be used. We have found that if the auxiliary blades 30 aretwelve inches in length when a film forty inches wide is treated.satisfactory results are obtained. The blades 30 may be staggered andoverlapped similar to the main blades 2.9, or the edges may bepositioned in the same'plane.

The auxiliary doctor blades 30 may be made of various materials. We haveobtained satisfactory results when they were made of flexible materialssuch as spring brass with beaded edge, leather, thin steel and the like.y

To thread the machine, it is necessary that the blades 29 and 30 beopened up or spread apart. For this purpose an externally geared handlemechanism 51 is provided. The handle mechanism 51 is mounted on pads 52and 53 of the castings 34 and, since both mechanisms are similar, onlyone will be described. A gear casing 54 is provided with an extension 55by means of which the casing is securedto the pad. The casing 54 is alsoprovided with bearings or journals 56 and 57 In the journal 56 a stubshaft 58 is polsitioned. On one end thereof a handle mechanism 59 isfastened by any suitable means. 0n the other end of the shaft 58 thereis keyed a gear 60 which is adapted to mesh with a gear 61 carried on anextension 62 of the trunnion 32 and supported in the journal 57. It isobvious that rotation of the handle 59 will rotate the trunnion 32whereby the blade holder will be moved and the blades separated. Inorder to indicate the amount of l blades 29 and 30 are closed. To insurethat the blades return to their original adjusted positions, adjustablestops 64 are mounted on bosses 65 of the blade holders. The stopscomprise bolts 66 screwed in threaded holes 67 in the bosses 65. Nuts orbolt-heads 68 on the extremity of bolts 66 are adapted to engage astop-block 69 mounted on the pad 70 of the casting 34 by means of a bolt70 and positioning dowels. By means of a nut 71, or other suitablemeans, the stop 64 may be, after adjustment to any desired position,locked.

After the blades 29 and 30 have been brought back `to their originaladjusted position, means are provided to maintain the blades 29 and 30in position during the operation of the machine. The means for attainingthis result comprises hand clamp devices 72. Specifically, the handclamp 72 'comprises clamping members 73 and 7 3 adapted to engage thetrunnion 32 and a screw 74 operated by rotation of the head 75, whereby7the clamping elements 73, 7 3 are tightened or loosened. By means ofears 76 and bolts 77 and 77 respectively, the clamps are mounted on theend casting 34.

As above mentioned, the entire wiping mechanism 5 is slidably mountedwhereby it may7 be adjusted to any desired position in relation to thecoating bath. Various means may be used to attain this result. In thedrawings. We have shown one for effecting this result. Extending throughthe lower portion of the casting 34, is a channel 78 in which a bar 79is positioned. One end 79 of thebar 79 is bent upwardly and has a bolt80 extending through a threaded hole 81 therein and through a threadedhole 82 in the casting 34. ln its horizontal arm, the bar is formed witha vslot 83 through which af bolt 83 connecting the casting 34 totheframe extends. Rotation of the bolt 8() moves the entire mechanism,the limits of said movement being governed by the length of slot 83.Suitable means may be mounted on the bolt 80 whereby rotation of thescrew is prevented when not desired.

In the `arrangement of the doctor blades, above described, it has beenfound that the tension on the lm is of eXtreme importance and is one ofthe factors which regulates the quantity of the coating which is left onthe film after passing through the blades. Low tensions result inconsiderably less friction on the film by the blades and consequentlyconsiderably more coating is left on the film than would resultwhenhigher tensions areY employed. .T he thickness of the coating may bevaried as much as 100% and over by just varying the tension on the film.For this reason it is necessary to employ a device which will maintainthe tension of the film through the doctor blades at some predeterminedadjustable tensionf Various means may be employed. We have found that bycontrolling the tension of the roll 1 from which the film is supplied,We can obtain a suitable tension through the doctor blades. We thereforeapply to the spindle on which the roll is carried any suitable brakingmeans applying a progressively increasing tension as the supply on theroll decreases. Since the specific details of the brake means form nopart of this invention, further description thereof is deemedunnecessary.

From the wiping mechanism 5 the coated film is caused to pass into adrier 6^located in close proximity to the wiping mechanism, whereby thecoated films approach the temperature of the drier as rapidly aspossible and before any substantial evaporation of solvent. This is tominimize the amount of solvent evaporated at the lower temperature andto prevent blushing. "Blushing, as

above described, is the result of the separation of Wax in very minuteparticles from the other solid ingredients of the coating composition,and is evidenced by the hazy, translucent or opaque films.l Paraiiin orother wax possesses a definite and limited solubility in the coatingcompositions whichl We use. said solubility depending primarily upon thetemperature. At the temperature approximately that of the melting pointof the waX or higher, its solubility is many times grgater than it is atlower temperatures. Accordingly, we maintain the temperature of thedrier at or above the melting point of the wax in the composition. l

The drier 6 comprises a casing having heated coils 85 on both sidesthereof. Disposed at various points in thel drier are doors 86 hinged tothe casing and provided with wire glass windows 87, whereby access tothe interior of the drier may be easily had and, due to the wire glasswindows 87, the interior of the drier may be at any time viewed. The

temperature of the drier is preferably main-y tained in the vicinity orat the entrance of the film at 80 C. to 100 C., and the remainder of thedrier is maintained at such a temperature that the parafiin or other waxwill not be precipitated out. The upper sections of the drier aremaintained at a temperature of not lower than 60 C. to 65 C.

From the drier, the coated film is introduced into a humidifier havingmeans`8 disposed at lvarious points therein whereby moisture may beintroduced in the chamber and restore ory impart flexibility to thecoated film. Various means may be used to attain this result. We havefound that steam introduced through pipes, the openings of which arecovered with canvas, produces satisfactory results. We have also foundthat satisfactory results are obtained if the humidification is carriedout at a temperature higher than room temperature and preferably above40 C. To attain .this result, the

humidifyin chamber is provided with heating coils. he humidifier -isalsoprovlded with doors having windows sinular to the vdrier 6. Thedrier 6 andand the humidperature corresponding closely to the meltingpoint of the wax, but slightly lower by 5 to 10 C., the moistureproofproperties seem to disappear to a great extent. Also, during the processconsiderable moisture is lost by the film during its initial drying. Inthis final step the film picks up additional moisture sothat itsmoisture content is brought back to that necessary for a flexible andpliable film.- During this final step substantially all-the solvent iseliminated and the film rendered odorless.

When the film finally issues from 'the warm humidifying chamber and intothe air, it becomes self-cooled, its temperature drops and themoistureproof properties of the coatlng are restored. Upon cooling, thecoating seals the base materlal andA the molsture which the base haspicked up.

From the humidifier the coated film passes through the air and is woundon a roll.

In the above method the material treated is described as a continuousfilm or web. The invention is not limited thereto since it is obviousthat sheets of various sizes may be treated by the herein-describedmethod.

vIn the claims the expression a temperature approximately that of the4melting point ofsaid wax is used. This expression is intended to coverthe temperature as set forth in thedescription, viz.. a temperatureapproximately the same or higher than t-he melting point of the wax inthe composition.

Though the hereinbefore description relates specifically to the coatingof celloas defined in the following claims.

phane, it is obvious to anyone skilled in the art that'the essentialfeatures of this invention may be used for coating numerous bases withdivers compositions.

Since it is obvious that various modifications may be made in theapparatus abovedescribed, we do not intend to limit ourselves to theexact details above-described except We claim: 1. An apparatus forcoating sheets, films, webs and the like comprising means to apply acoating `composition to the material to be coated, means toonly removethe excess composition from the zones adjacent the longitudinaledges ofthe material and means to remove Athe excess com osition from the entirewidth of the materlal to be coated.

,2. An apparatus -for coating sheets, films, webs and the likecomprising means to apply a coating composition to the material to becoated and means to remove the excess of said coating composition, saidmeans being webs and the like comprising means to apply a coatingcomposition to the material to be coated, a pair of short doctor bladesto wi the excess composition from the zones adyacent the longitudinaledges of the material, and a pair of doctorblades to wipe the excesscomposition from the entire width of the material.

4. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and the like comprisingmeans to apply a coating composition yto the material to be coated, apair of short doctor' blades to wipe the excess composition from thezones adjacent the longitudinal edges of the material, i

and a pair ot doctor blades to wipe the excess composition from theentire width of the material, and means to adjust said doctor blades.

5. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, Webs and the likecomprisingmeans to apply 'a coating composition to the material to be coated, apair of short doctor blades to wi e the excess composition from thezones ad]a cent the longitudinal edges of the material,

and a pair of doctor blades to wipe the excess composition from theentire width of the material, said doctor blades being arranged instaggered relation.

6. n apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and the like Vcomprisingmeans to apply a coating composition to the material to be coated, apair of short doctor blades to wipe the excess composition from thezones ad]a cent thelongitudinal edgesof the material, and a pair ofdoctor blades to wipe the excess composition from the entire width ofthe material, the wiping edges of the second mentioned doctor bladesarranged in overlapping relationship.

7. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, Webs and the like comprisingmeans to apply a coating composition tofthe material to be coated, apair of short doctor blades to wi e An apparatus for coating sheets,films,

webs and the like comprising means to apply and a pair of doctor bladesto Wipe the excess composition from the entire width of the material,and means to open up and separate the doctor blades of each pair topermit threading therethrough.

Mr9. An apparatus for coating sheets, films,

Webs and the like comprising means to apply a coating composition to thematerial to be coated, supports, a plurality of short doctor bladesmounted on said supports and constituting means to Wipe the excesscomposition from the zones adjacent the longitudinal edges of thematerial, and a pair of oppositelyl disposed doctor blades mounted onsaid supports and adapted to wipe the excess composition from theopposite sides of the entire Width of the material.

10. An apparatus for coating sheets, lms, webs and the like comprisingmeans to apply a coating composition to the material to b coated,supports, a plurality of short doctor blades mounted on said supportsand constituting means to Wipe the excess composition from the zonesadjacent the longitudinal edges of the'material, and a pair ofoppositely disposed doctor blades mounted on said supports to wipe theexcess composition from the opposite sides of the entire width of themas, terial and means to adjust said doctor blades.'

11. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, Webs ahd the like comprisingmeans to apply a coating composition to the material to be coated,supports, a plurality of short doctor blades mounted on said supportsand'constituting means to Wipe the excess composition from the zonesad'acent the lon itudinal edges of the materia and a pair cfg opp sitelydisposed doctor blades mounted on sai supports to wipe the excesscomposition from the opposite sides of the entire width of the material,and means to adjust each of Said doctor blades. L

12. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, `Webs andthe like comprisingmeans to apply a coating composition to the material to be coated,supports, a plurality of short doctor blades mounted on said supportsand constituting means to Wipe the excess composition from the zonesadjacent the longitudinal edges of the material, and a pair ofoppositely disposed doctor blades mounted on said supports to Wipe theexcess composition from ,GO the opposite sides of the entire Width ofthe material, and means to at least partially rotate said supportswhereby the blades are separated.

13. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, Webs and the like comprisingmeans-to apply a coating composition to the material to be coated,movable supports, a plurality of short doctor blades mounted on saidsupports and constituting means to Wipe the excess composition from thezones adJacent the longitudi-i nal edges of the material, and a pair ofoppositely disposed doctor blades mounted on said supports to wipe theexcess composition from the opposite sides of the entire width of thematerial, and means to prevent movement of said supportsduringoperation.

14.- An apparatus` for coating sheets, films, webs and the likecomprising means to apply a coating composition to the material to becoated, supports, a plurality of short doctor blades mounted on saidsupports and constituting means to Wipe the excess composition from thezones ad] ac'ent the longitudinal edges of the material, and a pair ofoppositely disposeddoctor blades mounted on said supports to wipe theexcess composition from the opposite sides of the entire Width of thematerial and means to position said supports transversely of thematerial.

15. An apparatus forJ coating sheets, films,

Webs and the like comprising means to apply a coating composition to thematerial to be coated, supports, a plurality of short doctor bladesmounted on said supports and constituting means to Wi e the excesscomposition from the zones a jacent the longitudinal edges of thematerial, a plurality of oppositely disposed doctor blades mountedonsaid support-s to wipe the excess composition from the opposite sidesand the entire Width of the material, means to separate said blades toypermit threading of the material through the apparatus and means tolimit the return of said blades to their predetermined wiping positionupon bringing together said blades..

16. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, Webs and the like comprisingmeans to apply a coating composition to the material to be coated,supports, a plurality of short doctor blades mounted on said supportsland constituting means to wipe the excess composition from the zonesadjacent the longitudinal edges of the material, a pluralityI ofoppositely disposed doctor blades adapted to wipe the excess compositionfrom the opposite sides and the entire width of the material, means tomove apart'said supports to permit threading of the material through theapparatus and means to limit the return of said supports to theiroriginal predetermined positions.

17. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, Webs and the like comprisingmeans to apply a coating composition to the material to be coated,supports, a plurality of short doctor blades mounted on said supportsadapted to wipe the excess composition from the zones ad]acent thelongitudinal edges of the material, a plurality of oppositely disposeddoctor blades to Wipe the excess composition from the opposite sides andthe entire Width supports to permit threading of the nia-4 terialthrough the apparatus and means limiting the forward movement of saidsupports. 1 An a paratus for coating sheets, films, webs and t e likecomprising means .to aply a coating composition to the-material to ecoated, supports, a plurality of short doctor blades mounted on saidsuplports to wipe the excess composition from t e zones adjacent thelongitudinal edges of the material, a plurality of opposite disposeddoctor blades adapted to wipe t e excess composition from the oppositesides and the entire width of the material, means to move apart saidsuplports to permit threadin of the material t rough the apparatus anadjustable ,means limiting 'the forward movement o said supports.

19. An'apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and the like comprisingin combination successive and separate means to humidify the material tobe coated, means to remove wrinkles in the material, means to apply acoating composition and means to remove the excess coating compositionand means to dry said coating. f

20. in apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and the like comprisingin combination successive and separate means to humidify the material tobe coated, means to apply a coating composition to said treatedmaterial, means to remove the excess composition from said material atthe zones adjacent the longitudinal edges of the materia means to wipethe excess composition from the entire width of the opposite sides ofsaid, material and meansto dry the coating.

21. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and the like comprisingin combination successive and separate means to humidify the material tobe coated, means to apply a coating composition to said treated mate-lrial, means to remove the excess composition from said material at thezones adjacent the longitudinal edges of the material, means to removelthe excess composition from the entire width of said material, means todry said coating and means to humidify the coated material.l

. ,22. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and the likecomprising in combination successive and separate means to 'apply acoating to the material to be coated, means to remove the excesscomposition from the coated material at. the zones adjacent thelongitudinal edges thereof, means to remove the excess composition fromthe entire width of said material, and -means to dry the coat? ingdisposed in close'proximity to the applymg means.

23. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and thelike comprisingin combination successive and separate means to apply a coatingcomposition to the material to be coated, means to remove'the excesscomposition from said coated material at the zones adjacent thelongitudinal edges thereof, means to remove the excess composition fromthe entire width of said material, means tot dry the coating disposed in4close proximit to the applying means, and means t0 humi ify the coatedmaterial. 24. An apparatus for coating sheets, films,

webs and the like comprising inf combinationsuccessive'and separatemeans to humiditythe materlal to be coated, means to apply a coating tosaid material, means to remove the excess composition fromthe coatedmaterial at the zones adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof means toremove the excess composition from the entire width of the coated,material, andmeans to dry the coating disposed in close proximity to theapply- `ing means.

25. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and the like,comprising means to apply a coating composition to the material to ecoated, a pair of short doctor blades to wi e the excess compositionfrom the zones adjacent vthe longitudinal edges of the material,a pairof doctor blades to wipe the excess composition from the entire Width ofthe material, and means to control the ten-v sion' of the materialpassing through said doctor blades.

26. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and the like comprisingmeans to apply a coating composition to the material to be coated, apair of short doctor blades to w1 je the excess composition from thezones `adjacent the longitudinal edges of the material and a pair ofdoctor blades to wipe the j excess composition from the entire width ofthe material, and means to regulate the tension of the material passingthrough the doctor blades, `said doctor blades bemg arranged instaggered relation.

27. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, webs and t e like comprisingmeans for applying a coating composition to the material to be coated, apair of short doctor blades to wie the excess composition from the zonesadjacent the longitudinal edges of the material and a pair of doctorblades to wipe the excess composition from the entire width of thematerial being treated, and means to individually adjust each of saiddoctor blades.

28. An apparatus for coating sheets, films, Webs and` the likecomprising means for applying a coating com osition to the material tobe coated, a pair o short doctor blades to wi e the-excess compositionfrom the zones adjacent to longitudinal edges of the material, and apair of doctor blades to Wipe the excess composition from the entireWidth of the material being treated, the wiping edges of each pair ofsaid doctor blades overlapping, and means to individually adjust each ofsaid doctor blades.

29. An apparatus tor coating sheets, tilms, Webs and the like comprisingin combination successive and separate means to apply a coating to thematerial to be coated, means to remove the excess composition from thecoated material at the zones adjacent the longitudinal edges thereot,means to remove the excess composition trom the entire Width ot -saidmaterial, and drying means to quickly heat the coated film.

30. An apparatus tor coating sheets, films, webs, and the likecomprising in combination successive and separate'me'ans to apply acoating composition to the material to be coated, means to remove theexcess composition trom said coated material at the zones adjacent thelongitudinal edges thereot, means to remove the excess composition tromthe entire Width ot the saidmaterial, drying means tquickly heat thecoated film, and means to humidity the coated material.

3l. An apparatus tor coating sheets, films, webs and the like comprisingin combination successive and separate means to humidity the material tobe coated, means to apply a coating to said material, means to removethe excess composition trom the coated material at the zones adjacentthe longitudinal edges thereof, means to removethe excess'compositiontrom the entire Width ot the coated material, and drying means toquickly heat the coated film.

32. An apparatus tor coating sheets, films, webs andthe like comprisingin combination successive and separate means to humidity the material tobe coated, means to iron out the Wrinkles in saidrmaterial, means toapply a coating composition to said treated material, means to removethe excess composition trom said material at the zones adjacent thelongitudinal edges ot the material, means to wipe the'excess compositiontrom the entire Width ot the opposite sides ot said material, and meansto dry the coating.

33. An apparatus tor coating sheets, films, webs and the likecomprisingin combination successive and separate means to humidity the material tobe coated, means to iron out the wrinkles in said material, means toapply a coatingcomposition to said treated material, means to remove theexcess composition trom said material at the zones adjacent thelongitudinal edges ot the material, means to remove the excesscomposition trom the entire Width ot said material, means to dry saidcoating, and means to humidity the coatedmaterial. p

34. An apparatus tor coating sheets, tilms, webs and the like comprisingin combination successive and separate means to remove the Wrinkles insaid material, means to apply a coating composition. to said treatedmaterial, means to remove the e..ess composition trom said material atthe zones adjacent the longitudinal edges ot the material, means to wipethe excess composition trom the entire width ot the opposite sides otsaid material, and m'eans to dry the coating. e

35. An apparatus tor coating sheets, iilms, websand the like comprisingin combination successive and separate means to remove the l4cnnnnlcn'rn 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,826,697. y Granted october 6, 1931, 1o

WILLIAM H. cannon ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1,lines 48 and 49, strike out "lf are two ducts 17 which supply the" andinsert instead If the coated material is subjected to a; and that thesaid Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that thesame may confonn to the record ofv the `oase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 3rdl day of November, A. D. 1931.

. v M. J. Moore, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

